Bihar Govt set to dilute stringent prohibition law

Patna: The Bihar government has approved amendments to the stringent prohibition law in the state, proposing a reduction in the quantum of sentence for those held guilty of violating the anti-liquor law.

The nod to the proposed amendments, which would be tabled during the Monsoon Session of the state legislature scheduled later this month, was given at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar late last evening, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat department, Arun Kumar Singh told mediapersons.

He, however, did not divulge the contents of the proposed amendment bill.

Advocate General Lalit Kishor told a news channel that the amendments proposed a reduction in the quantum of punishment for those involved in sale and manufacture of liquor as well as for those consuming alcohol, including the first-time offenders.

Earlier, both the owner and the occupant of a property or vehicle, from which liquor was seized, were liable to be punished, Kishor said.